Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza has been named a finalist for National League Manager of the Year, joining Brewers’ Pat Murphy and Padres’ Mike Shildt. The last Mets skipper to win this honor was Buck Showalter in 2022, whom Mendoza succeeded just a year ago.
Mendoza took the reins as the Mets’ 25th manager after a 15-year tenure with the Yankees, where he served as bench coach. The Venezuelan native is now in the second year of his three-year contract, already earning accolades to strengthen his reputation.
Mendoza’s debut season as a big league manager had a rough start, with the Mets opening 0-5 and slumping to 11 games below .500 by early June. But the season turned around dramatically, with announcer Gary Cohen summing it up perfectly as the Mets clinched a playoff spot: “from 0-5 to OMG.” The Mets went on an incredible tear, finishing the regular season with a 65-38 run. Known for their resilience, they pulled off 41 comeback victories and led the league with a 28-16 record in nail-biting, one-run games.
That “never say die” attitude powered the Mets through the playoffs, highlighted by Pete Alonso’s thrilling go-ahead three-run homer in Game 3 of the Wild Card series, which eliminated finalist Pat Murphy’s Brewers. The Mets then knocked out the Phillies in the NLDS, eventually falling in a fierce six-game battle with the World Champion Dodgers in the NLCS.
“He’s amazing with the players,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said of Mendoza after the team’s NLDS win. “Carlos has this unique ability to unite the team, lifting everyone up while also pushing them to their best.”
Guiding the Mets to overcome adversity, secure a Wild Card spot, and reach Game 6 of the NLCS is a testament to Mendoza’s leadership. This recognition as a Manager of the Year finalist underscores his impact, with the winner set to be announced on Tuesday, November 19.
